hamilton_eddie

Ok... found a problem. I installed a brand new battery and a brand new alternator last week. My car would not start this morning...

Well my alternator is WARM to the touch with all the electronics turned off! The new alternator drained my battery completely. I checked all connections and replaced the old alternator. Only problem is my car has a dead battery.

Is the alternator bad? WTF. Someone please let me know what's going on

hamilton_eddie

The old alternator is in but my battery is already dead.

Did replacing a new battery and alternator ruin my voltage regulator?

mcgarvey

The voltage regulator is contained within the alternator....

You or a repair facility needs to do a key-off current draw test. Anything over 50 mA is abnormal. These cars normally draw closer to 20 mA (not many on-board computer systems in a Lancer- a Lexus or something may draw 100mA and that would be expected).

Cal City Evo

iTrader: (13)

So it wasn't doing this before you replaced the alternator? It's hard to believe it would be that but if it is the only thing you changed the it does appear suspect.

02modlanceroz

iTrader: (2)

I bought a refurbished alternator from autozone. 6 months later and the voltage regulator kept sticking on me. Volts were bouncing from 11.5-14 during operation. But if you're battery is getting drained just sitting, you have a short. Check amps on the battery, then disconnect the alternator and check it again. See if the amps drop. If not, that's not this issue. If you need to. Keep pulling fuzes til the amps drop and that will narrow down the circuit that it's on

hamilton_eddie

Update: I found the problem. It was quite easy. I pulled out every single fuse and discovered the ignition coil pack fuse was blown. I checked the coil pack and it was bad. You could see a big bulge on the top of the coil from too much heat.

I replaced to coil pack with new wires and spark plugs along with a new fuse and the car starts just fine!

FYI Don't buy cheap alternators! I bought one for $100 on rock auto. This cheap piece of crap ended costing me 2 days off from work and no transportation for a whole week!

kaj

iTrader: (60)

Rock Auto is where it's at. i only buy from a local auto parts store if i'm desperate.

.M.

Everyone gets a defective part once in a while. I've been there, and yea... It sucks. That being said, I've never had a problem with Rock Auto.